Front Tyre Wear

My 2600 mile SV1000s needs new rubber on the rear - perfectly normal for
2600 miles I'd guess. However, I just checked the tread on the front and
it's *more* fucking worn out than the back! The rear is almost on the wear
indicators but the front is actually passed them, particularly at about 2/3
of the useable radius on each side. My front brakes aren't binding (in the
slightest) and I don't regard myself as a panic-breaker so what the **** is
going on? Yes, both the same tyre type - Michelin Pilot Sport.

I await your hostile & derogatory replies...

 

A propensity for stoppies?

 

That makes it about 3p a mile just for the rear tyre. How does that compare
with Porsche (and the like) tyre costs?

I'm not happy at 5000 miles for a rear for an ER5 - but it's all I get.
Motorcyling is now very firmly in the land of leisure pursuit.

John

 

Naah. I've seen this before - it;s Nigel's old teddy bear. He's
dragging his front brake into corners, scrubbing the shoulders of the
front tyre off. The pansy.

 

Pressures at a guess. Pressure too low, tyre runs hot and wears like a
bastard. Not *that* good for stability either and you've experienced a lack
of that just recently.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

I checked the front and yes it was a bit low - 30psi. Since then I've upped
that to 36 and put 38 in the rear. It now flops into corners much easier
and feels more stable. The tyres are shagged though so a set of Pilot
Sports imminent methinks.

 

I think you're right - about 6psi down I'd say.

 

As others have said, tyre pressure.

My VN1500 wears the front tyre faster than the rear, and that got me
scratching my head for a while, until someone suggested it was probably
because the recommended front pressure is a mere 28psi (while the rear
is 40).

I did up the pressure to 32 or so for a while to see what difference it
made, but soon took it back down again because the front got all wobbly
on windy motorways.

 

That seems crazy. My VN800 Drifter was supposed to run 28 both ends.

I took the pressure up to 32F/36R and things seemed more together. I also
replaced the OEM Excedras with Avon Venoms, and that felt better too.

 

It does seem a bit daft. Recommended for the rear is 36psi below 215lb
load, 40 above. As I'm a little too fond of ale and pies I'm afraid I
fall into the latter category.

With the recommended settings the thing handles as well as a big cruiser
can be expected to (which isn't saying much, I agree).

Most odd, at 32psi and above that front end got fucking scary at times.

I've just switched to Bridgestones, but I haven't noticed a great
difference - still handles like a whale.

 

That'd do it.

Since then I've upped

If you're weight is around the "average" (12stone-ish) I'd go to 40-41 aat
the back.

The tyres are shagged though so a set of Pilot

I've come to the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) that out and out sports
tyres are WAY more than I'll likely ever need, so taking the advice of
Lozzo, I've ordered a pair of Avon Azaro's, because I believe the grip will
still be more than I need, but the life of the tyre should kick the Sport
Attack's and the B'stone 014's I've had, right out of the picture.

And I'll keep them at the right pressure too


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Funnily enough, although Bridgestone make a brilliant sports bike tyre (014)
they're not liked on cruisers, specially by the blokes on VROC, the yank
Vulcan group. Most of them go with Avon's or even Metzeler, but the vast
majority of them ditch the Bridgestones almost immediately.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

....so a set of Pilot Sports imminent methinks.

Um, I meant to say Pilot *Powers*

 

Ahh. They should last a bit longer than the Sports.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

I doubt it, they're the stickier variant.

 

How right you are Well you'll be happy getting a thousand out of them
then.



--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

If I only get 1000 miles, I'll be a bit cheesed off. I'd expect more like
2000 (at a push). I'm going to try and coax another 300 out of my current '
Sports taking them to 3000 miles. The squaring off isn't really that bad
(I've seen MUCH worse) and when they're warm, they do ok now that I've got
the pressures sorted (ended up with 38r, 36f).

Later dude.

 

I wouldn't even think about going over 33psi for a tyre because if you
start to go stupid you'll get so much heat in the tyres they'll be
over-inflated and then you'll really get problems.

Avon Azaros are shit, proven beyond reasonable doubt this time. 12
miles of fast(ish) road riding 2 up on a bandit and they were melting
on the leading edge of every tread block and sliding coming out of
corners. I wouldn't put them on any bike of mine even if they were £10
per pair including fitting.

 

Right, I'd better get some D207RR's put on ASAP.

Thanks for the warning.

 

Front or back? The recommended pressures for mine are both a fair bit higher
than 33psi and it still feels like shit at that.

Interesting. I'll do some more research.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19